Missouri permit test: safe driver habits
Seat belts and child restraints, road rage and drunk drivers, carbon monoxide, distracted driving and electronic devices. 14 questions, 10 at a time, starting with ones you haven't seen.
Rules to remember9 key safe driver habits rulesShow the rules
- When faced with road rage, remain calm and do not respond with similar behavior. (p. 36)
- If you have a cell phone, get off the roadway to a safe area first, then dial *55 (or 911 in a metropolitan area). (p. 36)
- The law requires the driver and front-seat occupants of passenger vehicles to wear a properly adjusted and fastened seat belt. (p. 57)
- Children under four must be secured in a child passenger restraint system appropriate for them, regardless of weight. (p. 57)
- Keep children 12 and younger in the back seat, buckled in properly. (p. 57)
- Texting needs visual, manual and mental attention, so it is the highest-risk distraction. (p. 94)
- The law allows hands-free calls, voice-to-text and phone GPS, music or podcasts, but bans reading or typing texts, watching video and recording or posting video. (p. 95)
- Adjust mirrors, seat, radio and climate controls before you begin to drive, or during normal stops. (p. 95)
- While the vehicle is moving, drivers may not hold or support a phone with any part of their body, but hands-free voice calls are allowed. (p. 95)
Taken from the explanations to checked practice questions; page numbers link to the official handbook.
Sample safe driver habits questions
1.You are driving a 6-year-old who is 4 feet tall and weighs 50 pounds. How must the child ride?
- AIn an adult seat belt by itself
- BIn a child restraint or booster seat
- COn an adult's lap in the back seat
- DIn the front seat with an air bag
Show the answer
✓ B. In a child restraint or booster seat
Children 4 through 7 who weigh 40 to under 80 pounds and are under 4 feet 9 inches must ride in a child restraint or booster seat.
Source: Missouri Driver Guide (Revised August 2026), page 58
2.Why is texting the most dangerous driving distraction?
- AIt is only dangerous at night
- BIt takes your eyes, hands and mind off driving
- CIt is only illegal for drivers under 21
- DIt drains your car battery
Show the answer
✓ B. It takes your eyes, hands and mind off driving
Texting needs visual, manual and mental attention, so it is the highest-risk distraction. It is illegal for any driver to read, write or send a text while driving.
Source: Missouri Driver Guide (Revised August 2026), page 94
3.A 3-year-old weighs 45 pounds. What must the child ride in?
- AA child passenger restraint system suited to the child
- BA booster seat only on highways
- CNothing, if they sit in the back
- DAn adult seat belt, because they are over 40 pounds
Show the answer
✓ A. A child passenger restraint system suited to the child
Children under four must be secured in a child passenger restraint system appropriate for them, regardless of weight.
Source: Missouri Driver Guide (Revised August 2026), page 57
4.Your car has air bags. Why should you still wear your seat belt?
- AThey don't protect in side or rear hits
- BAir bags only work at low speeds
- CSeat belts are only needed on highways
- DWearing a belt turns the air bags off
Show the answer
✓ A. They don't protect in side or rear hits
Air bags help keep you from hitting the wheel, dash or windshield, but they don't protect you if you're hit from the side or rear or if the car rolls over.
Source: Missouri Driver Guide (Revised August 2026), page 57